Kolkata, 01 October (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the Central government for sanctioning a vital infrastructure project worth ₹1,175.59 crore to construct a state-of-the-art bridge across the Teesta River. Taking to social media on behalf of the people of West Bengal, the Chief Minister extended sincere thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for approving the 6.91-kilometre-long, six-lane bridge at Sevoke.

In his statement, the Chief Minister underlined the strategic importance of the project for both the state and the nation, noting the critical significance of the Siliguri Corridor, widely known as the Chicken’s Neck sector. Given the delicate ecological demands of the terrain, he highlighted that a durable, high-capacity crossing over the Teesta River had become an absolute necessity. The upcoming structure will serve as a resilient and long-overdue alternative to the heritage Coronation Bridge, which was commissioned back in 1941 and has experienced severe structural strain over the decades.

Elaborating on the economic and logistical advantages, the Chief Minister observed that this major upgrade along National Highway-10 (NH-10) will ensure smoother passenger transit and freight movement while reinforcing regional supply chains serving North Bengal, Sikkim, and the entire northeastern region. Adhikari added that the infrastructure expansion will unlock fresh economic avenues for local communities. Hailing the decision as a prime example of cooperative federalism, the Chief Minister reaffirmed his administration's commitment to extending comprehensive on-ground facilitation to ensure the project's swift and seamless completion.

Following the formation of the new government in West Bengal, the administration has placed strong emphasis on reviving North Bengal's infrastructure, which had faced chronic neglect in previous years. A senior member of the state cabinet outlined the government's development roadmap, explaining that the primary objective is to drive economic transformation across North Bengal by empowering the 'Triple T' sectors, tea, timber, and tourism. The cabinet minister emphasized that robust, world-class connectivity is fundamental to achieving this vision, and the newly approved bridge over the Teesta will serve as a defining milestone in the region's holistic growth.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh